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Niculae excited about Inverness Caley challenge

New Inverness Caley signing Marius Niculae is excited about the challenge of scoring goals for the little SPL club.

Niculae, a Romanian who has played in a UEFA Cup final and spent last season with Mainz in the Bundesliga, was yesterday unveiled at the Caledonian Stadium as club officials talked of a momentous day in their history.

"It's a fresh start for me and a new experience, and that's what I really need," said the former Dinamo Bucharest and Standard Liege forward. "I've been impressed by the city, the people, the club, everything.

"I spoke with the manager and chairman and want to be part of their vision for this club, I know Scottish football quite well through Old Firm derbies on television and I know it is a tough championship.

"It's a chance to relaunch my career. I believe in this move and together with my team-mates, I feel I can become a top scorer again and, if I play well here and score goals, I know I will be called back into the Romania squad, which is a big target for me."

Charlie Christie, the club's manager, was equally delighted with the deal.

"There comes a time when a club has to take a major step in the right direction and be ambitious," he said. "I get the impression Niculae lost his way a little and needs a new challenge. I'm confident he'll respond to the challenge."